JP4318766B2 - Tablet filling equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tablet filling device, and more particularly to a tablet filling device that automatically supplies tablets (including capsules and pills) and tablet containers and can be automatically stored in a storage shelf after filling the tablets.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as such a tablet filling device, for example, a plurality of feeder containers containing different tablets are provided, and tablets discharged from each feeder container are stored in a tablet container with a hopper provided in one place. (See US Pat. No. 5,348,061).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the tablet filling device, the tablet containers are simply arranged in a row and sequentially filled with tablets, so when filling different types of tablets between each tablet container, the difference between the tablet containers can be determined only from the appearance. It is not possible, and it is necessary for the operator to confirm what the filled tablet is.
[0004]
Further, since the tablet container is filled in one place, the next tablet cannot be supplied during the collecting operation. That is, it is impossible to dispense a plurality of types of tablets at the same time.
[0005]
Thus, the present invention automatically supplies tablets and tablet containers, efficiently fills the desired tablet containers with the desired tablets, and can automatically return to the original state even if abnormally stopped. It is an object to provide a tablet filling device.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides:
In a tablet filling device for filling a predetermined number of tablets for each tablet container at a filling position,
Stock containers each containing different sized tablet containers;
Container removing means for taking out a tablet container of a specified size from the stock container;
Tablet container transport means for transporting the tablet container taken out by the container take-out means;
A storage shelf having a plurality of storage chambers for individually storing tablet containers filled with tablets;
A holding means for holding the tablet container, and by moving the holding means, a filling container transfer means for transferring the tablet container from the tablet filling position to each storage chamber of the storage shelf;
Control means for replenishing from the stock container a tablet container of the same size as that carried to the storage shelf by the container take-out means and tablet container transport means when the tablet container is transported to the storage chamber of the storage shelf by the filling container transport means And a configuration withIs.
[0007]
As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides:
A tablet supply unit for supplying tablets;
A tablet container supply unit for supplying a specified size tablet container;
In a tablet filling device comprising: a tablet filling unit that fills a tablet supplied from the tablet container supply unit with a tablet container supplied from the tablet container supply unit,
A plurality of feeder containers for storing the tablet supply section for each different type of tablet, a guide passage for temporarily storing tablets discharged from the feeder container, and a tablet for transporting the tablets in the guide passage to the tablet filling section While having a configuration including a transport means,
A storage shelf provided with a plurality of storage chambers for storing each tablet container filled with tablets in the tablet filling unit;
After the abnormal stop, the tablet transporting means transports the tablets remaining in the guide passages and the tablet transporting means to the tablet filling unit, collects them in the tablet containers, and then transfers the tablet containers to the storage chamber of the storage shelf. And a control means for performing the above.
[0035]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 1, the tablet filling device according to the present invention generally includes a storage shelf 1 provided on one end side, a tablet supply unit 2 provided on the upper side, and a tablet container supply unit 3 provided on the lower side. And a tablet filling unit 4 provided between the storage shelf 1 and the tablet container supply unit 3 and a control unit 5 (see FIG. 17).
[0037]
The storage shelf 1 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape having a plurality of storage chambers 6. As shown in FIG. 2A, each storage chamber 6 has a frame shape, and at least a facing surface in the radial direction (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2A) is open. A display portion 7 is provided on the upper portion of the storage chamber 6 on the outer diameter direction side. In the present embodiment, the display unit 7 displays a feeder container number and a tablet count. In addition, a container holding portion 8 is provided in the storage chamber 6. The container holding portion 8 is formed by urging a pair of holding plates 9 provided so as to be able to contact and separate in the horizontal direction in a facing direction by a spring 9a. A holding claw 10 extending in the opposite direction is formed at the lower end of the holding plate 9. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), a substantially elliptical recess 10a is formed at the opposing edge of each holding claw 10 so as to hold the tablet container 11, and a notch 10b that expands toward the inner peripheral side. Is formed. The notch 10b is for facilitating insertion of the tablet container 11 into the recess 10a. Note that whether or not the tablet container 11 is held by the container holding portion 8 of each storage chamber 6 can be detected by the container sensor 8a.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 1, a touch panel 12 is provided in the central portion of the outer periphery of the storage shelf 1 instead of the storage chamber 6. This touch panel 12 is for enabling prescription instruction data to be directly input.
[0039]
In addition, a filling container transport unit 13 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the storage shelf 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the filling container transport unit 13 is configured such that an arm member 15 is pivotably provided on a rectangular frame 14 that can move up and down.
[0040]
On both outer surfaces of the rectangular frame 14, bearing recesses 16 are provided at the upper and lower ends, respectively. The bearing recess 16 is in sliding contact with a guide shaft 17 erected at a predetermined interval behind the storage shelf 1. Then, by driving a motor (not shown), the filling container transport unit 13 can be moved up and down via a belt (not shown). A first drive gear 18 is fixed to the center of the lower horizontal plate 14 a of the rectangular frame 14.
[0041]
The arm member 15 includes an arm body 19 that is rotatably disposed on the central axis of the first drive gear 18. A first drive motor 20 is disposed at one end of the arm body 19. The rotation shaft of the first drive motor 20 protrudes from the lower surface of the arm body 19, and a position detection plate 21 and a second drive gear (not shown) that meshes with the first drive gear 18 are fixed thereto. . The rotational position of the second drive gear can be determined by detecting the position detection plate 21 with a sensor (not shown). As a result, the arm member 15 rotates forward and backward within a range of 180 ° by driving the first drive motor 20. A slide member 22 that reciprocates in the longitudinal direction by driving a built-in second drive motor (not shown) is disposed on the upper surface of the arm body 19. A gripping member 23 is provided at one end of the slide member 22 (on the side opposite to the first drive motor 20). The gripping member 23 is composed of a pair of gripping pieces 25 that open and close via a gear (not shown) by driving a third drive motor 24 disposed on the slide member 22.
[0042]
The tablet supply unit 2 includes a tablet storage unit 26 and a tablet transport unit 27.
[0043]
As shown in part in FIG. 4, the tablet containing portion 26 is provided with groove portions 29 extending in the vertical direction on both sides of the vertical wall portion 28, and each groove portion 29 is rotatable about a support shaft 30a. The common guide passage 31 is formed by closing each with a shelf member 30 provided in the guide. Each shelf member 30 is provided with a plurality of tablet discharge ports 30b in the vertical direction, and a motor base 32 is attached to the outer surface corresponding to each tablet discharge port 30b.
[0044]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the motor base 32 incorporates a drive motor 32a, and a drive gear 33 to which the power of the drive motor 32a is transmitted is exposed on the upper surface. A drop guide passage 34 is formed on one end side of the motor base 32. A tablet detection sensor 35 is provided on the inner wall of the drop guide passage 34 so that tablets discharged through the drop guide passage 34 can be detected (counted).
[0045]
A feeder container 36 is detachably attached to the motor base 32. The feeder container 36 has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape that opens upward and can be covered with a cover 37, and contains a tablet inside. In addition, a rotor 39 having a gear 38 at the lower end is provided at the bottom of the feeder container 36.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 7, the rotor 39 has conical surfaces on the top and bottom, and when the feeder container 36 is mounted on the motor base 32, the gear 38 meshes with the gear 33 of the motor base 32. ing. On the lower conical surface of the rotor 39, there are formed a tablet guide groove 40 that spirals toward the center and a partition groove 41 that bisects at the center. The spiral direction of the tablet guide groove 40 is opposite to the rotational direction (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 7B) toward the rotational center of the rotor 39. Partition fins 42 are disposed in the partition groove 41, and each tablet passing through the tablet guide groove 40 is sequentially divided as the rotor 39 rotates as shown in FIG.
[0047]
A gear stopper 43 can be engaged with and disengaged from the gear 38 of the feeder container 36. As shown in FIG. 5B, the gear stopper 43 is urged toward the gear 38 by a stopper spring 44. Thereby, even if the feeder container 36 is removed from the motor base 32, the gear stopper 43 engages with the gear 38 and the rotation of the rotor 39 is prevented, so that the tablet does not spill outside.
[0048]
In the tablet supply unit 2, when the drive motor 32 a in the motor base 32 is driven with the feeder container 36 attached to the motor base 32, the rotor 39 rotates through the gear 33 and the drive gear 38, and each tablet The tablets are directed to the center of rotation through the guide groove 40 in a row. As described above, the spiral direction of the tablet guide groove 40 is formed so as to be opposite to the rotation direction toward the rotation center of the rotor 39, and thus acts on the tablet as the rotor 39 rotates. Regardless of the centrifugal force, the tablet is forced to move toward the center of rotation. Prior to entering the tablet guide groove 40, the tablets are partitioned by the partition fins 42 and fall one by one into the common guide passage 31 via the drop guide passage 34.
[0049]
At the lower end of the common guide passage 31, a shutter 43 for temporarily holding the dropped tablet is provided. A hopper 44 is provided below the shutter 43 so as to be rotatable and detachable. The hopper 44 has a tablet discharge port 44a at an eccentric position below, and the tablet discharge port 44a can be opened and closed by an on-off valve 44b. The hopper 44 is rotated every 180 °, and the position of the tablet discharge port 30b can be supplied to the transport container 46 of the tablet transport unit 27 described below.
[0050]
The tablet conveyance unit 27 is provided in two rows, with a conveyance belt 48 spanned between a pair of rollers 47, and the conveyance container 46 can be reciprocated by the conveyance belt 48. The transport container 46 is supported by a support frame 46a. A rectangular hole 46c is juxtaposed in the bottom plate portion 46b of the support frame 46a (see FIGS. 4, 14, and 15). The conveyor belt 48 has a continuous guide protrusion 48a. The guide protrusion 48a engages with the rectangular hole 46c, and enables the transfer container 46 to be transferred. The transport container 46 includes a shutter 49 whose bottom surface can be opened and closed. The shutter 49 is urged so as to close the bottom of the transport container 46 by a spring 50 disposed on one end side. Further, a protrusion 49 a is formed on the lower surface of the shutter 49 on one end side.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 8, the tablet container supply unit 3 includes a stock container 51 that houses empty tablet containers 11, a container extraction unit 52 that extracts the tablet containers 11 one by one from the stock container 51, and this container extraction unit An empty container transport unit 53 that transports the tablet container 11 taken out from the stock container 51 by 52. The tablet container supply units 3 are arranged side by side, and empty tablet containers 11 having different sizes (outer diameters or lengths) are accommodated in the stock containers 51, respectively.
[0052]
A plurality of slits 54 are arranged in the width direction on the side wall 51a of the stock container 51, and the side wall 51a is bent so that the upper end of the side wall 51a is open. The bent part 51b gradually increases toward the tip. Inclined downward. The bottom surface of the stock container 51 is gradually inclined downward toward the side wall 51a. Further, on the ceiling surface side of the stock container 51, an inclined piece 55 that protrudes obliquely upward from the side wall 51a is provided. The inclined piece 55 is used to enable removal of only one tablet container 11 that is lifted in the horizontal direction by the container extraction portion 52 described below.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 9, the container take-out part 52 has a substantially triangular lifting piece 56 protruding from each slit 54 of the stock container 51. The lifting pieces 56 are connected to each other by a first rod 58 integrated with the first bearing portion 57. Moreover, the 2nd bearing part 59 is each protrudingly provided by each lifting piece 56 of two sides. Each second bearing portion 59 is provided with a second rod 61 biased laterally by a spring 60. The second rod 61 is slidably engaged with the first guide groove 63 of the guide plate 62 in a protruding state. The first guide groove 63 is formed in a quadrangular shape, and as shown in FIG. 10, the inner vertical groove portion 63a and the lower inclined groove portion 63b are shallow, the upper inclined groove portion 63c is deep, and the outer vertical groove portion is deep. 63d smoothly connects the upper inclined groove 63c and the lower inclined groove 63b. Further, the lower portion of the second bearing portion 59 is rotatably connected to the plate-like body 64. Locking pieces 64a are formed at both ends of the plate-like body 64, and engage with the second guide grooves 63e and 63f of the guide plate 62 so as to be movable up and down. The lifting piece 56 moves up and down by a drive motor (not shown) via a belt 65.
[0054]
Moreover, the said container extraction part 52 is provided with the conveyance part 66 and the container conveyance preparation chamber 67 in the front-end | tip of the bending part 51b of the stock container 51, as shown in FIG. The conveyance unit 66 is configured such that a conveyance rope 69 is spanned between both ends of a pair of rollers 68. The roller 68 can be rotated forward and backward by driving a motor (not shown). In addition, the space | interval of the conveyance rope 69 is a value smaller than the outer diameter of the tablet container 11 to convey at least. In addition, the arrangement range substantially coincides with the range in which the lifting piece 56 is arranged. The container transport preparation chamber 67 has a size that can accommodate exactly one tablet container 11. The bottom surface of the container transport preparation chamber 67 is configured with an openable / closable shutter 70.
[0055]
The empty container transfer section 53 is disposed below the container transfer preparation chamber 67 along the stock containers 51 arranged side by side. Similar to the transport unit 66, the empty container transport unit 53 is composed of a pair of rollers 71 and a pair of transport ropes 72 hung around both ends thereof.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 11, the tablet filling unit 4 includes a container determination unit 73, a container supply unit 74, a discharge box 75, a container support unit 76, and a tablet weighing unit 77.
[0057]
The container discriminating unit 73 includes a substantially V-shaped container positioning unit 78 as shown in FIG. The container positioning portion 78 is configured to be rotatable about a support shaft 78a on one end side. Further, the container positioning portion 78 is provided at the tip of a pair of first leg portions 79 that rotate about the first support shaft 79a and a pair of second leg portions 80 that rotate about the second support shaft 80a. Each is rotatably supported. The container positioning portion 78 can be rotated and positioned at a horizontal position A, a vertical position B, and a substantially vertical position C, respectively. A substantially C-shaped escape portion 80b is formed below the second leg portion 80 in order to avoid interference with the first support shaft 79a when it is rotated to the horizontal position A.
[0058]
A plurality of length detection sensors 81 are disposed on one inner surface of the container positioning portion 78. The length detection sensors 81 are respectively arranged at predetermined positions from one end side of the container positioning portion 78, and detect the difference in length when the tablet container 11 is positioned on the container positioning portion 78.
[0059]
Moreover, the said container discrimination | determination part 73 has the stop plate 82 which contact | abuts the end surface of the tablet container 11 in the edge part, when the container positioning part 78 moves to a horizontal position. The stop plate 82 is provided with a plurality of diameter detection sensors 83 for detecting the size of the tablet container 11 in the radial direction. The diameter detection sensor 83 is disposed from the deepest position of the container positioning portion 78 to a position of a predetermined size, and detects the difference in outer diameter when the tablet container 11 is positioned at the container positioning portion 78.
[0060]
Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a support bar 85 urged upward by a spring 84 is provided at a position opposite to the stop plate 82. When the container positioning portion 78 rotates to the horizontal position A, the support rod 85 abuts on the bottom surface on one end side (the side opposite to the support shaft 78a) to prevent the rotation operation. This is for making the container positioning part 78 as close as possible to the end of the empty container transport part 53 (position where the tablet container 11 is transported). That is, when the container positioning unit 78 approaches the empty container transport unit 53, the tip of the support rod 85 comes into contact with the bottom surface on one end side of the container positioning unit 78 (see FIG. 13A), and the biasing force of the spring 84 is increased. Works. As a result, the container positioning portion 78 has a downward movement speed that differs between the support shaft 78a and the opposite side, and moves downward while rotating about the support shaft 78a (see FIG. 13B). As a result, the container positioning part 78 can be inclined at a position approaching the empty container transport part 53 (see FIG. 13C).
[0061]
The container discriminating unit 73 has a container delivery unit 87 for discharging the tablet container 11 placed thereon when the container positioning unit 78 is rotated to the substantially vertical position C or the vertical position B. The container delivery part 87 is provided with a substantially L-shaped delivery arm 88 on a side rail 87 so as to be reciprocally movable. The delivery arm 88 is provided with two delivery pieces 89 so that the placed tablet container 11 can be delivered regardless of whether the container positioning portion 78 is positioned at the substantially vertical position C or the vertical position B.
[0062]
The discharge box 75 is provided so that the tablet container 11 can be collected by moving the delivery piece 89 with the container positioning portion 78 positioned at the substantially vertical position C.
[0063]
As shown in FIG. 11, the container supply unit 74 includes a cylindrical portion 90 that rotatably holds the central portion. When the cylindrical portion 90 is rotated to the receiving position, the first opening 90 a can receive the tablet container 11 from the container discriminating portion 73 and the second opening 90 b is closed by the closing plate 91. Moreover, the cylinder part 90 rotates forward or reverses so that the first opening 90a or the second opening 90b is directed downward.
[0064]
As shown in FIG. 14, a container guide board 92 is rotatably disposed below the cylindrical portion 90. The container guide panel 92 is provided with guide holes 92a at three locations on the circumference. Each guide hole 92a has the same diameter at the upper opening, but three types of lower openings are provided according to the outer diameter of the container to be guided.
[0065]
The container support 76 is formed by forming a substantially U-shaped container support recess 93b on the outer periphery of a support disk 93 that is rotatably provided around a support shaft 93a. Each container support recess 93b is formed in various width dimensions so as to support tablet containers 11 having different outer diameters (the container support part 76 does not hold the same size tablet container 11).
[0066]
The tablet weighing unit 77 includes a charging hopper 94, a weighing unit 95, a weighing hopper 96, a filling hopper 97, and a discharge hopper 98.
[0067]
As shown in FIG. 15, in the charging hopper 94, when the transport container 46 moves, the protruding portion 49 a of the shutter 49 comes into contact with the edge, so that the shutter 49 is resisted against the urging force of the spring 50. Open. As a result, the tablets stored in the transport container 46 are sequentially dropped onto the charging hopper 94.
[0068]
As shown in FIG. 14, the measuring unit 95 supports the measuring container 99 for storing the tablet falling from the charging hopper 94, the measuring instrument 100 for measuring the measuring container 99 together with the stored tablet, and the measuring container 99. And a pair of arms 101. Two protrusions 99a and 99b are formed on the outer surfaces of both sides of the measuring container 99, respectively. Further, a locking recess 101a is formed at the distal end of the arm 101 to lock the protrusion 99a on one end side. The locking recess 101a is formed in a key shape to prevent the protrusion 99a of the measuring container 99 from falling off when the arm 101 is rotated to supply the tablet in the measuring container 99 to the filling hopper 97. . The arm 101 supports the weighing container 99 in a floating state from the weighing instrument 100 so that the impact force does not directly act on the weighing instrument 100 when the tablets are charged from the charging hopper 94 to the weighing container 99, and then the weighing is performed. It rotates so that the measuring container 99 may be placed on the container 100. Thereby, the measurement time by the measuring device 100 is shortened.
[0069]
The bottom surface of the weighing hopper 96 is constituted by a shutter 96 a, and a filling amount detection sensor 102 is disposed on the opposite side surface, so that the amount of tablets stored in the weighing hopper 96 can be determined.
[0070]
The upper openings of the filling hopper 97 and the discharge hopper 98 are opened and closed by an opening / closing door 103 that is rotatably provided. A charging guide disk 104 is rotatably disposed below the filling hopper 97. The insertion guide disk 104 is provided with tablet guide holes 104a at three locations on the circumference. The tablet guide hole 104a has an upper end inner diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the filling hopper 97, and a lower end inner diameter that is substantially the same as the upper end inner diameter of the tablet container 11 disposed below. That is, while the upper end inner diameter of the tablet guide hole 104a is all the same, three types of lower end inner diameters are provided according to the size of the tablet container 11, and the inner surface has a tapered shape that smoothly connects the upper and lower end openings. It has become.
[0071]
As shown in FIG. 17, the control unit 5 receives prescription information input from the host computer 105 (only an input signal on the touch panel 12), and stores the storage shelf 1 (container sensor 8a, touch panel 12, motor 14a, 1 drive motor 20, third drive motor 24, etc.) tablet supply unit 2 (drive motor 32a, tablet detection sensor 35, etc.), tablet container supply unit 3, tablet filling unit 4 (length detection sensor 81, diameter detection sensor 83, A signal is received from the measuring device 100, the filling amount detection sensor 102, etc.), the emergency stop switch 106, etc., and the drive is controlled.
[0072]
Next, the operation of the tablet filling device having the above configuration will be described.
[0073]
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 18, first, prescription instruction data based on prescription data is received from the host computer 105 (step S1). And based on this prescription instruction data, an empty container supply process (step S2) and a tablet transfer process (step S3) are performed by parallel simultaneous processing. Subsequently, after performing the tablet filling process (step S4), the container transfer process for transferring the tablet container 11 to the storage chamber 6 of the storage shelf 1 is performed (step S5). A plurality of prescription instruction data may be received according to the processing capability.
[0074]
In the empty container supply process, as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 19 and 20, first, it is determined whether or not a tablet container 11 of a specified size is waiting in the tablet filling unit 4 (step S11). If waiting, the tablet transfer process is started (described later), and if not waiting, the container take-out portion 52 of the corresponding stock container 51 is driven to move the lifting piece 56 upward (step S12). . Normally, the tablet container 11 is placed on the lifting piece 56 in a sideways state. However, when the tablet container 11 is vertically or stacked, it comes into contact with the inclined piece 55 during the upward movement of the lifting piece 56 and the stock. Returned into the container 51. As the lifting piece 56 moves upward, the second rod 61 also moves up the inner vertical groove 63a. Then, when the second rod 61 moves to the uppermost position and protrudes to the upper inclined piece 63c by the urging force of the spring 60 as shown in FIG. 10A (step S13), the lifting piece 56 is moved down. (Step S14). When the second rod 61 moves on the upper inclined piece 63c, the lifting piece 56 rotates around the first rod 58 and is placed on the lifting piece 56, as shown in FIG. Only one tablet container 11 is supplied to the conveyance unit 66 in the horizontal direction. In addition, after the tablet piece 11 is supplied to the transport part 66, the lifting piece 56 has a side wall as shown in FIG. 10C while the second rod 61 moves in the outer vertical groove part 63d. It descends while rotating to the outer surface side of 51a. When the second rod 61 moves through the lower inclined groove 63b, the second rod 61 gradually rotates so as to protrude toward the stock container 51, and returns to the initial position on the lower side as shown in FIG. 10 (d). .
[0075]
Moreover, the conveyance by the conveyance part 66 is started (step S15), and the tablet container 11 mounted on the conveyance rope 69 is moved to the container conveyance preparation chamber 67 via the bending part 51b. In the transport unit 66, by rotating the motor in a reverse direction after a predetermined time, if one tablet container 11 is accommodated in the container transport preparation chamber 67, the next tablet container 11 is not positioned above it (see FIG. Steps S16 to S19).
[0076]
Thus, when the movement of the tablet container 11 to the container transport preparation chamber 67 is completed, the shutter 70 is opened (step S20), and the tablet container 11 is placed on the transport rope 72 of the empty container transport section 53. In the empty container transport unit 53, the motor is driven after waiting for the dispensing of the tablet container 11 from the stock container 51, and the tablet container 11 is transported to the tablet filling unit 4 by the transport rope 72 (step S21).
[0077]
In the tablet filling unit 4, the container positioning unit 78 is rotated and is inclined so as to be inclined obliquely downward with respect to the empty container transport unit 53 at the horizontal position A (step S <b> 22). In this inclined state, as described above, since the container positioning portion 78 can be disposed close to the transport rope 72, the tablet container 11 to be transported can be smoothly positioned in the empty container transport portion 53. .
[0078]
Subsequently, the size of the tablet container 11 is detected by the length detection sensor 81 and the diameter detection sensor 83 (step S23), and it is determined whether or not the size is the designated size (step S24). If it is determined that the tablet container 11 is the specified size, the container positioning portion 78 is rotated to the vertical position B (step S25), and if it is determined that it is not the specified size, it is rotated at the substantially vertical position C before the vertical position. Is stopped (step S26). Then, by moving the delivery arm 88 of the container delivery part 87, the delivery container 89 transports the tablet container 11 at the vertical position B into the cylindrical part 90 of the container supply part 74 (step S27). The tablet container 11 is discharged into the discharge box 75 (step S28).
[0079]
The container supply unit 74 determines in which direction the bottom surface (or opening) of the tablet container 11 supplied is directed based on the detection signal from the diameter detection sensor 83 of the container determination unit 73 (step S29). ). When the tablet container 11 is carried in from the bottom side, the cylindrical portion 90 is rotated forward in the clockwise direction (step S30), and when loaded from the opening side, it is rotated counterclockwise (step S31). ), The cylindrical portion 90 is made upright.
[0080]
On the other hand, the container support section 76 rotates the support disk 93 based on the detection signals from the diameter detection sensor 83 and the length detection sensor 81 of the container determination section 73 to thereby determine the container support section 76 corresponding to the determined size. Is positioned (step S32). Thereby, the tablet container 11 falls through the guide hole 92 a of the container guide board 92 and is supported by the corresponding container support portion 76 of the support disk 93.
[0081]
In this way, when the positioning of the tablet container 11 with respect to the container support portion 76 is completed, the support disk 93 is rotated, and the corresponding tablet container 11 is moved to the filling position D (step S33). Further, the insertion guide disk 104 can be rotated to position the tablet guide hole 104a having an inner diameter that matches the inner diameter of the tablet container 11 transferred to the filling position D. Then, the arm member 15 is driven, and the position of the tablet container 11 is fixed by holding the tablet container 11 with the gripping piece 25 (step S34).
[0082]
On the other hand, in the tablet transfer process, as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 21 and 22, the corresponding tablet storage section 26 is driven and controlled based on the prescription instruction data. That is, a predetermined number of tablets accommodated in the feeder container 36 are discharged by driving the built-in motor of the corresponding motor base 32 and rotating the rotor 39 (step S41). The number of discharges is counted by the tablet detection sensor 35 provided in the drop guide passage 34 (step S42). Thus, when a predetermined number of tablets are discharged from the feeder container 36 to the common guide passage 31 via the drop guide passage 34 (step S43), the rotation of the rotor 39 is stopped and the discharge of tablets is stopped (step S44).
[0083]
Further, the tablet conveyance unit 27 is driven and controlled. That is, by rotating the roller 47, the transport container 46 is positioned below the common guide path 31 via the transport belt 48 (step S45). Then, the hopper 44 is rotated, the opening is directed to the transport container 46 (step S46), and the shutter 49 is opened to accommodate the tablets in the transport container 46 (step S47).
[0084]
When a predetermined number of corresponding tablets are stored in the transport container 46 in this manner, the transport container 46 is moved to the loading hopper 94 by driving the tablet transport unit 27 (step S48). At this time, the protrusion 49 a of the shutter 49 comes into contact with the edge of the charging hopper 94, so that the shutter 49 is gradually opened with the movement of the transport container 46, and the stored tablet is put into the measuring container via the charging hopper 94. 99. At this time, the arm 101 is rotated so that the measuring container 99 is slightly lifted from the measuring instrument 100 so that the impact force accompanying the tablet insertion does not directly act on the measuring instrument 100. Thereafter, the arm 101 is rotated to place the measuring container 99 on the measuring instrument 100, and the weight is measured (step S49).
[0085]
Therefore, it is determined whether or not the weight is a predetermined weight (step S50). Further, the arm 101 is rotated (step S51), and the tablet is accommodated in the weighing hopper 96. Then, based on the detection signal from the filling amount detection sensor 102 of the weighing hopper 96, it is determined whether or not the tablet can be stored in the tablet container 11 (step S52).
[0086]
If the weight is a predetermined value and the volume is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, it is determined that the corresponding tablet can be filled by a predetermined amount. Then, the insertion guide disk 104 is rotated so that the tablet guide hole 104a whose inner diameter of the lower end opening coincides with the inner diameter of the tablet container 11 disposed below is positioned (step S53). Thereafter, the opening of the discharge hopper 98 is closed by the open / close door 103 (step S54), and the shutter 96a is opened (step S55). Thereby, the tablet is filled into the tablet container 11 via the tablet hopper 97.
[0087]
If the weight is not the predetermined value or exceeds the predetermined capacity, it is determined that the tablet is not the corresponding tablet or the capacity cannot be filled in the tablet container 11, and the opening of the filling hopper 97 is closed (step S56). ), The shutter 96a is opened (step S56). Thereby, the tablet is discharged through the discharge hopper 98. In this case, the tablet supply process is performed again.
[0088]
If the tablet container 11 is filled with a tablet, the transfer process to the storage shelf 1 is performed. In this transfer process, the arm member 15 is rotated (step S61), the slide member 22 is advanced with respect to the arm body 19 (step S62), and the tablet container 11 is gripped by the gripping piece 25 (step S63). Then, the slide member 22 is retracted (step S64), and the arm member 15 is rotated and raised (step S65). The rotational position and the raised position of the arm member 15 are determined as follows. That is, numbers are assigned in the order in which the operator can easily take out the tablet container 11 from the storage chamber 6, and it is a position that can be stored in the lowest numbered storage chamber 6.
[0089]
If the arm member 15 moves to the determined rotational position and raised position (step S66), the grasped tablet container 11 is moved to the storage chamber 6 of the storage shelf 1 by advancing the slide member 22 (step S67). . The tablet container 11 is positioned in the concave portion 10a while being spread out on both sides by the notch 10b formed in the holding claw 10 of the holding plate 9 in the storage chamber 6, and is held by the urging force of the spring 9a. Therefore, the gripping piece 25 is opened (step S68), the slide member 22 is retracted (step S69), and the arm member 15 is moved downward (step S70) to prepare for the next transfer of the tablet container 11.
[0090]
The storage chamber 6 to be moved is numbered in order from the shortest transfer time of the tablet container 11 by the arm member 15, and the smallest storage chamber 6 is selected from the empty storage chambers 6. It doesn't matter.
[0091]
In this way, when the tablet container 11 filled with a predetermined amount of a predetermined tablet is transferred to the storage chamber 6 of the storage shelf 1, the display unit 7 of the corresponding storage chamber 6 based on the detection signal from the container sensor 8a. The feeder container number and the tablet count are displayed (step S71).
[0092]
The stock container 51 may be configured as follows.
[0093]
That is, as shown in FIG. 24, a container support base 106 that can be raised and lowered is disposed on the inner surface of the side wall 51 a of the stock container 51. The container support 106 has a multistage shutter 107 on the inner side. The shutter 107 expands and contracts as the container support base 106 moves up and down, and prevents the tablet container 11 from entering below the container support base 106. On the upper side of the container support 106, an inclined piece 108 that is rotatable about a support shaft 108a is disposed. The inclined piece 108 is inclined as shown by a one-dot chain line in the drawing, and the excess tablet container 11 is returned to the stock container 51 in the same manner as the inclined piece 55. In addition, the inclined piece 108 is a position indicated by a solid line in the drawing so that the movement of the container support 106 is not hindered when only one tablet container 11 is placed horizontally on the container support 106. Return until. A transfer piece 109 is provided above the inclined piece 108 and transfers the upwardly moving tablet container 11 to the side. In addition, about the conveyance part 66 and the container conveyance preparation chamber 67, it is the same structure as the said embodiment.
[0094]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 25 (a) and 26 (a), the container support base 106 itself can be configured to be rotatable without providing the transfer section 66 and the container transfer preparation chamber 67, or as shown in FIG. ) And FIG. 26B, a transport belt 111 may be provided in place of the container support 106.
[0095]
The inclined piece 55 or 108 may be configured as follows.
[0096]
That is, as shown in FIG. 27, the first link 113 is rotatably provided around the support shaft 112. Then, one end of the second link 114 is rotatably connected to one end of the first link 113, and the one end 5 of the third link 115 is rotatably connected to the other end. The rod 116a of the cylinder 116 is rotatably connected to the other end of the second link 114, and one end of the fourth link 117 is rotatably connected to the other end of the third link 115. Further, the other end of the fourth link 117 is rotatably connected to an intermediate portion of an inclined piece 118 provided so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 118a. Accordingly, when the cylinder 116 is driven, the first link 113 rotates about the support shaft 112 via the rod 116a and the second link 114, and the inclined piece 118 moves the support shaft 118a via the fourth link 117. Rotates as the center.
[0097]
By the way, in the tablet filling apparatus, as described above, the tablet container 11 is transported, and after being filled with a predetermined tablet, it is transferred to the storage chamber 6 of the storage shelf 1. If the emergency stop button (provided at the center of the lower end of the storage shelf 1 and the center of the tablet container supply unit 3) is pressed or the power supply stops due to a power failure or the like, the tablet filling device Stops. In this case, since the control unit 5 can receive power supply from a secondary power source (not shown), the control unit 5 maintains the driving state, but may not be able to completely grasp the information about the tablet container 11 and tablets being transported. is there. For this reason, it is necessary to perform a return process for recovering and resetting the tablet container 11 and the tablets that are being transported.
[0098]
In the return processing shown below, since the tablets and tablet containers 11 stopped in the middle of conveyance are collected in the storage chamber 6 of the storage shelf 1, the storage chamber 6 of the storage shelf 1 has no space, or there is little space. In this case, the tablet container 11 is removed from the storage chamber 6 so that the return process can be performed. Moreover, the conveyance path | route (the empty container conveyance part 53, the cylinder part 90, the support disk 93, etc.) of the tablet container 11 is test | inspected visually, and if there exists the tablet container 11, this will be removed. The removed tablet container 11 is returned to the original feeder container 36.
[0099]
In addition, it is preferable to display on the touch panel 12 to remove the tablet. Moreover, since the error in the case where the tablet in the feeder container 36 or the tablet container 11 in the stock container 51 is empty does not indicate an abnormality, the return process is not performed.
[0100]
Here, the return process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0101]
First, the power supply of the control part 5 is once turned off (step S81). This is for erasing the data being processed temporarily stored in the memory of the control unit 5. As shown in FIG. 30 (a), the power source presses the portion displayed as “CLOSE” on the touch panel 12 to display “DO YOU WANT TO POWER OFF?” Shown in FIG. 31 (a). By selecting “YES” from among “YES” and “NO” displayed below, it is displayed as “It is safe to turn off the power” as shown in FIG. It is supposed to be.
[0102]
Next, if an emergency stop button (not shown) is pressed (step S82), after resetting it (step S83), the control unit 5 is turned on again (step S84). As a result, the touch panel 12 is displayed as shown in FIG.
[0103]
When “RECALL” is pressed among the items displayed on the touch panel 12 as shown in FIG. 30 (a) (step S85), the input signal is received and the collection process of the tablet in the middle of supply is started ( Step S86). At this time, “RECALL UNDER PROCESS ...” shown in FIG. 30B is displayed on the touch panel 12 to notify that the return processing is being performed (step S87).
[0104]
In the tablet collection process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 29, the tablets remaining in the transport container 46 and each hopper 44 are collected. First, the support disk 93 is rotated, and the tablet container 11 with the largest capacity is positioned below the filling hopper 97 (step S91). Usually, since the tablet container 11 with the maximum capacity is prepared in the support disk 93, this tablet container 11 is used. When the tablet container 11 is not prepared, the tablet container 11 with the maximum capacity is supplied from the stock container 51. To do. On the other hand, tablets are collected from any one of the common guide passages 31 by the transport container 46 (step S92), and collected from the charging hopper 94 or the like into the tablet container 11 via the filling hopper 97 (step S93). Then, the tablet container 11 filled with tablets is transferred to the storage chamber 6 of the storage shelf 1 by the arm member 15 (step S94), and the same size as the transferred tablet container 11 is supplied to the support disk 93 (step S94). S95). Further, “P000” is displayed on the display unit 7 (step S96), and it is possible to determine at a glance that the recovered tablet is filled in the tablet container 11 transferred to the storage chamber 6.
[0105]
Thereafter, in the same manner as described above, the tablet container 11 having the largest capacity used is supplied from the stock container 51 to the support disk 93, and the remaining tablets are collected from the common guide passage 31. In this case, the common guide passages 31 include those in which no tablets remain, but in order to fully grasp which tablets are being transported, the tablets are collected from all the common guide passages 31. .
[0106]
If the remaining tablets are collected from all the common guide passages 31 in this way (step S97), the tablet containers 11 of other sizes held on the support disk 93 are subsequently collected (step S98). In this case, the tablet container 11 having a size collected from the support disk 93 and stored in the storage chamber 6 of the storage shelf 1 is supplied from the corresponding stock container 51 to the support disk 93 each time (step S99).
[0107]
Thereafter, when the tablet collection operation is completed (step S100), the display on the touch panel 12 is set as the main menu, and "AUTO" is pressed, so that the normal empty container supply process (step S2) and tablet transfer are performed as described above. It is possible to return to the process (step S3) and the tablet filling process (step S4).
[0108]
In the return process, when the tablet filling device is abnormally stopped, the data being processed stored in the memory is always cleared by turning off the power of the control unit 5, but this data is used. It may be possible for the operator to select whether or not. That is, without turning off the power of the control unit 5, for example, by pressing the “RECALL” displayed on the touch panel 12, it is possible to continue using the data being processed before the abnormal stop as it is. Good. In this case, it is not necessary to collect the tablet container 11 left in the empty container transport part 53, the cylinder part 90, the support disk 93, etc., or the tablet left in the common guide passage 31 etc.
[0109]
  In the return process, the display 7 of the storage chamber 6 used for recovery is uniformly displayed to indicate the recovery of “P000”. However, in addition to the display indicating the recovery, It is preferable to be able to display whether the tablet is discharged from the feeder container 36. That is, the tablets are collected from which common guide passage 31 by the transport container 46.TheIs stored, and based on the stored content, it is specified which of the feeder containers 36 is the discharged tablet. In this case, it is not possible to determine which feeder container 36 is the feeder container 36 aligned vertically, but if the data being processed last time is used, the tablets discharged from which feeder container 36 are used. It is also possible to specify whether it exists.
[0110]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the tablet filling device according to the present invention, the desired tablets and tablet containers are automatically supplied so that the tablets can be filled with the tablets. It can be performed.
[0111]
In particular, since a storage shelf capable of storing tablet containers filled with tablets is provided, the discrimination can be facilitated.
[0112]
Moreover, since a desired tablet and tablet container can be automatically supplied and the tablet container can be filled with the tablet, the tablet can be filled efficiently. Moreover, since the storage shelf which can store a tablet container was provided, the determination can be performed easily. Further, even if the tablet is abnormally stopped due to a power failure or the like, the tablet in the middle of conveyance can be automatically collected by the collection control means, so that the restart of the tablet filling operation is not hindered.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire tablet filling apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is a perspective view (a) and a partial perspective view (b) showing a storage chamber of the storage shelf of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partially broken perspective view showing the arm member of FIG. 1;
4 is a cross-sectional view showing the tablet container of FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is an exploded perspective view (a) showing the motor base and the feeder container of FIG. 4 and a bottom view (b) of the feeder container. FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view (a) showing the motor base and feeder container of FIG. 4 and a partial plan view (b) showing its partition fins.
7 is a front view (a) and a bottom view (b) of a rotor provided in the feeder container of FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the stock container of FIG. 1;
9 is a perspective view showing a holding piece and a guide plate in FIG. 8. FIG.
10 is a partial plan view showing the operation of the holding piece of FIG. 8;
FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing the vicinity of the tablet filling portion in FIG. 1;
12 is a partial perspective view showing a tablet determination unit in FIG. 1; FIG.
13 is a front view showing the operation of the positioning unit in FIG. 12. FIG.
14 is a partial perspective view showing the vicinity of the tablet filling portion in FIG. 1. FIG.
15 is a front view showing the operation of the tablet weighing unit in FIG. 14. FIG.
16 is a front view showing the operation of the tablet weighing unit in FIG. 14. FIG.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a tablet filling device according to the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a main flowchart showing tablet filling control.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the empty container supply process of FIG.
20 is a flowchart showing the empty container supply process of FIG.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the tablet transfer process of FIG. 18;
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the tablet transfer process of FIG. 18;
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the container transfer process of FIG. 18;
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of a stock container according to another embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a stock container according to another embodiment.
26 is a front view of FIG. 25. FIG.
FIG. 27 is a schematic view of an inclined piece according to another embodiment.
FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing return processing according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the tablet collection process of FIG.
FIG. 30 is a diagram showing display contents on the touch panel when the power is turned off.
FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a main menu displayed on the touch panel.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Storage shelf
2 Tablet supply unit
3 Tablet container supply section
4 Tablet filling part
5 Control unit
6 containment room
11 Tablet container
27 Tablet transport section (tablet transport means)
31 Common guideway
36 Feeder container
106 Emergency stop switch

Claims (2)

In a tablet filling device for filling a predetermined number of tablets for each tablet container at a filling position,
Stock containers each containing different sized tablet containers;
Container removing means for taking out a tablet container of a specified size from the stock container;
Tablet container transport means for transporting the tablet container taken out by the container take-out means;
A storage shelf having a plurality of storage chambers for individually storing tablet containers filled with tablets;
A holding means for holding the tablet container, and by moving the holding means, a filling container transfer means for transferring the tablet container from the tablet filling position to each storage chamber of the storage shelf;
Control means for replenishing a tablet container of the same size as that transported to the storage shelf by the container take-out means and tablet container transport means when the tablet container is transported to a storage shelf storage chamber by the filling container transport means And a tablet filling device characterized by comprising: A tablet supply unit for supplying tablets;
A tablet container supply unit for supplying a specified size tablet container;
In a tablet filling device comprising: a tablet filling unit that fills a tablet supplied from the tablet container supply unit with a tablet container supplied from the tablet container supply unit,
A plurality of feeder containers for storing the tablet supply section for each different type of tablet, a guide passage for temporarily storing tablets discharged from the feeder container, and a tablet for transporting the tablets in the guide passage to the tablet filling section While having a configuration including a transport means,
A storage shelf provided with a plurality of storage chambers for storing each tablet container filled with tablets in the tablet filling unit;
After the abnormal stop, the tablet transporting means transports the tablets remaining in the guide passages and the tablet transporting means to the tablet filling unit, collects them in the tablet containers, and then transfers the tablet containers to the storage chamber of the storage shelf. tablet filling apparatus is characterized by providing a control means for performing.

Images